New Orleans Archdiocese to lay off part of its workforce

Published: 2005-09-28

BATON ROUGE, La. (CNS) -- The New Orleans Archdiocese, operating out of Baton Rouge since Hurricane Katrina struck in late August, has announced plans to lay off an unspecified number of its workers, with the hope of rehiring them in the future. In a "policy for employment terms and conditions," posted Sept. 25 on the archdiocesan Web site at www.archdiocese-no.org, the archdiocese said it was "both a victim of the storm as well as an integral source of support and aid for the recovery of our communities." The policy statement added, "Enormous personal and financial challenges face our archdiocese as well as the families and communities ravaged by this storm," necessitating "difficult decisions concerning our employees. These decisions are all the more painful given the great sacrifice and generosity of all our employees in service to the local church." The policy applies to "all employees of archdiocesan parishes, schools and offices, including Christopher Homes, Catholic Charities, Catholic schools, Wynhoven Healthcare, Chateau de Notre Dame, School Food Services, Second Harvest, PACE, cemeteries and the Clarion Herald," it said.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .